𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟗

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3500+words
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Happy Reading ♥️
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SHAURYA POV

It was late when I returned home. The house stood in complete silence everyone asleep, the air still, undisturbed. Only the faint hum of the hallway light greeted me.

I climbed the stairs slowly, careful not to let my footsteps echo.

When I pushed open the door to our room, it was dark. Not a single light on.
But something made me stop.

My eyes adjusted gradually to the dimness.

There She was my wife. Lying on her side, curled slightly inward, her breathing soft and even. Like a child. As if the world outside didn't exist.

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. I stepped closer, slowly, quietly.
Just to look at her. Just to feel the peace on her face.

But then... I saw it.Her lashes shimmered faintly in the darkness.

Dried tears.

Lines of sorrow left on the softness of her cheeks.Something pierced through my chest.

She had cried.Not lightly .this wasn't one or two stray tears.

This was the kind of crying that came in waves... the kind that exhausts you until sleep becomes your only escape.

Why?What had hurt her so deeply?

She was fine all day... smiling softly, helping Chachi, doing her own work before I left.What changed after that?

Was she missing Advay ?

A part of me wanted to wake her gently.
To hold her close and whisper, "Tell me... what's wrong? Why was she crying? "

But another part --the quieter, more careful part of me-held back.
Let her sleep. Ask her tomorrow. Just... let her rest.

I stepped back slowly, changed into my nightwear, and came to bed.

And that's when I noticed something else.

There was no pillow boundary tonight.

Every night since our marriage, she'd quietly placed one between us. A soft wall made of cotton and silence. And I never questioned it.

But tonight, it was missing.

I lay down beside her, careful not to make a sound. My hand rested near hers, but I didn't touch.

My heart was full of questions.

And with all those thoughts tangled tightly in my chest... I eventually drifted into an uneasy sleep.

~♡♡♡~

The Next Morning

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I noticed... was the silence.

And the emptiness beside me.

The bed was cold where she should've been.
I sat up instinctively, glancing around

Was I late?Had I overslept ?

I reached for the clock on the side table.

No. Not late. Just... alone.